CROQUET

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 180, 27 April 1929, Page 25

CROQUET

(By

"Hover.”)

. Foul Strokes. One has often been struck with the uncertainty that exists in many cases as to when a stroke becomes a foul. Sometimes It is perfectly clear that a stroke is good, or is a foul, but it is the border-line cases which are the cause of so much trouble. It must, of course, be everyone’s desire to make absolutely unexceptional strokes, and some that do not really pass the test are accepted as good because if is not recognised that they fall seriously short of what they ought to be. The rule states that the striker makes a foul “if he push or pull a ball, when in contact with another ball, without first striking it audibly or distinctly.” Note in the first place that this is the one case in which he may push or pull, and further, that under foul (e) he must not in any stroke strike his ball more than once unless in the first stroke of a sequence of hits he makes it a ball in hand. What this means is that in the push he must first strike .it so that the impact of the mallet on the ball is perfectly clearly heard. But the sound of impact must cease practically as suddenly as it is commenced; if there is any continuous sound or protracted groaning then there are a large number of hits involved. In a croquet-stroke this Is a foul and is usually called double-tapping. To do a pass-roll with a single continued sound at the impact is perhaps a difficult stroke, and double-tapping most frequently results from not holding the mallet sufficiently firmly. It is most easily performed with a short swing back and forward sjroke carried well through and accelerating in pace all the time till the mallet has left the ball. The method is practically the same whether side-pay (golf-stroke) or front-play be adopted. There are still too many strokes of this order which ought to be designated fouls. It is clearly the duty of any player if he feels he has not made the stroke with orthodox clearness to declare he has made a foul. Now related to this is another point which exhibits itself particularly in the so-called hammer or chop stroke. In making this stroke the striker’s ball is frequently hit towards the top with the end face of the mallet. This usually causes a protracted noise after the impact and an increasing number of referees unhesitatingly eall the stroke a foul. In other words, at the present time a higher standard of execution is being demanded than formerly. The easiest way of avoiding blemish is'to strike the edge of the ball with the edge of the mallet aud carry the stroke straight through to the ground,, in faet, to clip the edge of the ball. The ball must be struck well towards the pre--3" g edge; too much overlap of the on the ball will be less effective and more likely to produce an impact succeeded by a groaning sound. The expert may, of course, point out that even this involves some continuity of contact between mallet and ball and that no roquet is really fair unless the contact is momentary. The reply to this is that a momentary. contact can never occur under the conditions of play. Take as an example a vigorous golf stroke made with an iron. That usually has all the signs of a momentary impact. But the golf ball, if struck properly, will leave an impress as large as a halfpenny piece on the iron, which obviously means that measurable duration of time was involved in the contact. One cannot aim at the theoretically momentary stroke, one can only strike a ball so that the . duration of contact satisfies the accepted tests .of what constitutes unprotracted impact. In other words, the stroke must, conform to the orthodox requirements of crispness. Yet .another point remains to be discussed ill this connection. The striker's ball is very near to, say, half an inch away from, auofher ball which ho is not entitled to roquet. Can he strike .his ball towards such other' ball without making .a foul (i.e., hitting it more than once)?' He may strike Veryj hard and only a single sound will be appreciated. Now, in billiards, such a stroke is recognised as impossible and would unhesitatingly be given as a foul. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that such a stroke is equally foul in croquet. If the balls are actually in contact the stroke may be good, but if separated by ever so small a space then the stroke cannot be made cleanly and should not be attempted. The question arises, how fur off must the second ball be to permit a stroke .in the direction of another ball to be fair? The reply is that it depends upon: (1) How hard the striker hits the ball: (2) How far he deviates from the actual direction towards the centre of-the other ba11;,..(3) Whether f he hits downwards "with ’the edge of the , mallet: or horizontally with the end face. 1 These points should be observed by a , referee called up to adjudicate and would influence' his decision. But. generally speaking, hitting a ball at all hard towards the .centre of a ball even an inch away-will be most certainly a foul. One' warning as regards hitting with the edge of the mallet is required. The part of the edge with which a ball is hit must be of wood only. If a metal band comes flush with the end face, or nearly so. hitting with the; edge means, hitting, with something other than wood. If a stroke is made with the edge an ■illegal mallet has been used. and a fair stroke . has not .been. made. Break Competition.

, A scries of half-hour games was played at the Woburn green in connection with the break competition. In the A. grade, Mesdames Collins, Caldow, Leu W.atkln, and Lowery defaulted, and thus| only two competitors competed. Mrs. O'Donnell was the winner with two breaks of four each, her opponent being Mrs. Gardner. . In the Intermediate grade four, players were interested (Mesdames Walker, Flint, Ramsay and Wadsworth). T4>e last-named was successful with a break of four. Mrs. Pollock proved the winner itv the B grade, and made the best break of the three grades, playing orje of 9. and another of 5. For runner-up in this grade Mrs. Fairley was successful. Eastbourne Club.

The Eastbourne Club is one of the most progressive in the Wellington district, and their membership being much too large for one lawn, they have been negotiating for some time in the past in the endeavour to secure an additional piece of land. They have now been successful, and land sufficient for two more lawns has been obtained. This necessitates more money being raised and the Eastbourne Bowling Club, being the good sports they are, have loaned the croquet club their pavilion next Tuesday afternoon for an entertainment to be held with a view to augmenting the funds of the club. Various competitions' will be held, and it is hoped that the other clubs’ members will rally round, and help to make it a success. The competitions will commence at 2.30 and as the boat would be rather too late In arriving there, visitors arc advised to take the bus, which leaves town at 1.30. Seatoun Club.

The Seatoun croquet lawn having closed down for top-dressing, the bowlers have placed their green at the disposal of the croquet-playing ladies, for this week, not to play croquet on though, but to indulge in the game which made Drake famous. Great skill has been shown by some of the women, and they have been practising hard, so as to be al)le to show some form on Saturday, when they will play against the members of the Seatoun Bowling Club,

The Seatoun Croquet Club held their official closing last Wednesday. The weather was not at. all favourable, being bitterly cold. 'Nevertheless it did not prevent a good attendance of members, including a number of social members aud everyone ’present appeared to spend a pleasant time. The whole day was devoted to competitions, and they were keenly interested. The winning competitors for the day were as follow:—French, Mrs. MeGirr: angles, Mrs. Jackson; peg. Mrs. Stewart; golf, Mrs. Morton: hurry scurry, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Coventry; runner-up for peg, Mrs. Small (Mrs. A. H. Wright’s trophy). After afternoon tea liad been served Mrs. Easterbrook-Smith, the president. offered her congratulations upon the success of the club in winning the banners and called for three cheers for the winners, after which she presented the prizes to the successful competitors as follow:— C grade elub competition. Mrs. Higgins. 1 (Mrs. Easterbrook-Smith's trophy) ; Mrs. Coventry, 2 (Mr. Robertson’s trophy). The Yankee tournament, which was played at the latter part of the season, was won by A grade, Mrs. McGirr, 1; Mrs. Allen, 2; Mrs. Neilson, 3. B grade: Mrs. Davis. 1 (Mrs. Coutts’s trophy); Mrs. Morton. 2 (Mrs. Higgins’s trophy). C grade: Mrs. Higgins (Mrs. McGirr’s trophy). St. Augustine's Club. A rerv pleasant time was spent at the lawns of St. Augustine's Croquet Club on Wednesday afternoon. The weather was coldLbut fine, and outdoor competitions were'held. After afternoon. tea had been dispensed. Mrs. Ramson presented the trbphles to tiie successful players, as follow: Hurry scurrv. Mesdames Ibell and Reid (Central Clu'bl : golf. Mrs. Bradnock. (Karorl Club): angles. Mrs. Lewis (Kurort Chib) ladder. Mrs. Pawson (Central Club)- peg. Mrs. Brocklebank (Central Club). Crystal vase: Mrs. Fabler. The competition for the case of _ spoons was not concluded. The club' decided to hold the closing day of the season to-day, when opportunity will be taken to bld farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Falder. who are shortly leaving on a trip to the Old Country.